Good point but i got one for free. And i got some friends who will do it all if I buy them a pizza or something. So ill try it out see how it goes. If we get to frustrated we'll just put it back together.

Label things and take pics where needed!!!! Digitals work great for helps put complicated stuff back to gether. Dont pry or pull too much without making sure things are unbolted, possible hidden screws.

Before you get too worked up, you won't have to drop the dash. You will need to remove (in the order shown):

Defrost grille (snaps into the dash pad. Pulls straight up). The light sensor is attached to this piece and is removed with a 1/4 turn counterclockwise.
Two trim panels on each end of the dash (with the rubber defrost ducts that port air into the front doors). These pull off.
Remove the bezel around the instrument cluster and radio (two plastic clips above the instrument cluster).
The dash pad (piece that runs across the top with which houses the defrost vents and has 'AIRBAG' embossed on it in front of the passenger).
The trim panel just beneath the steering column (pulls backwards toward the drivers seat).
The kick panel by the drivers feet (2 screws).

I would most definitely disable the airbags and disconnect the battery while doing this.

This isn't that big a job and should easily be done in an afternoon.

ddalder gave me some guidance on disassembling the dashboard pieces. It is really a piece of cake. I was careful and took my time. I think it took all of a half an hour to remove the pieces he mentions (although I think you forgot the trim on the A pillars, they just pull off).

If I had a HUD to install, I'd do it for sure. The wiring should also be easy based on what ddalder says in a previous post. I recommend doing the research to really get your head around the big picture so you have a good idea of the task before you start. Knowing how the HUD fits and is wired-in before you begin, will make the whole job go quickly.

I have some photos of the dashboard of my '01 SE (no HUD) if you want to see what it may look like before you start.

ill let you know cause it will be about a week before i start this project....I still need to find a new HUD dash so i dont have to try to figure out how to cut my existing one.

I'm sure that I recently saw one which Ed Morad had available (BC name GTPMORAD) or Schram Auto Parts. The posting I saw was for the HU display unit which stated the dash pad was also available for sale.

If you haven't checked with Ed yet, that is a great starting point. Otherwise you can check out Schram. They likely won't be the cheapest, but I've had great quality parts and service from them in the past.

Don't try and modify your existing trim. I'll guarantee you won't be happy with the results.

The only other consideration which I hadn't mentioned is with the defrost ducts underneath the dash pad. I can't say for sure whether these are the same or not. I'll do a little checking and let you know. Since others have added this, I don't see it as being huge stumbling block.

Just my opinion .....I think you'll be waiting your time. Put your money and time into other mods. I have the HUD ... it is cool but in my opinion it isn't a "got to have" option (although I felt that way before I had one. I now barely know it'* there and seldom use it. And when I do use it, I found myself saying ... "This HUD just ain't that big of a deal!" You may be putting quite a bit of time, energy and money into something that just isn't going to return any value in the form of excitement (or whatever you value). It'* not as if anyone is even going to know you have it unless you tell them. If you've ever driven a car that has HUD, the driver is the only person who can see it in the windshield.

agrees with malatu..... got my car 3 months ago, and already foget its there.

yeah....i had one on my 89 nissan and i loved it....even though it only showed the speed....The only thing is im trying to buy the dash and they want so much money for it...I have to buy the airbags also which is $600 then i can buy that dash.

Just out of curiosity, why did you like your HUDit so much? Maybe I'm missing something about its purpose.